Find a Law Firm
approved by Whistletree
Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the Whistletree list of approved solicitors can put your transaction at risk of delay or failure.
Looking for information about your firm's panel status?
How does my firm apply to be on the Whistletree (a trading name of TSB Bank plc) Conveyancing Panel? How can my firm be reinstated onto the Whistletree (a trading name of TSB Bank plc) Conveyancing Panel?Find an Approved Solicitor on the Whistletree (a trading name of TSB Bank plc) Conveyancing Panel
Examples of recent questions relating to the Whistletree Conveyancing Panel
I am in the process of selling my house and the EA has just telephoned to say that the buyers are swapping law firm. The reason given is that Whistletree will only deal with solicitors on their conveyancing panel. Why would a leading lender only deal with specific lawyers?
Banks have always had an approved set of law firms they are willing to work with, but in the past few years big names such as Lloyds Banking Group, have reviewed and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have worked with them for decades.
Lenders point to the increase in fraud by way of justification for the cull – criteria have been tightened and a smaller panel should be easier to keep an eye on. No lender will say how many solicitors have been dropped, claiming the information is commercially sensitive, but the Law Society says it is being contacted daily by practices that have been removed from panels, or have other concerns about them. Some do not even realise they have been dropped until contacted by a borrower who has instructed them as might be the situation in your buyer’s case. Your purchasers are unlikely to have any sway in the decision.
My solicitor has identified a discrepancy between the information in Whistletree’s home valuation survey and what is in the title deeds. My lawyer informs me that as he is on the Whistletree conveyancing panel he is duty bound to ensure that the bank is happy with this discrepancy and is still content to lend. Is my solicitor’s stance legitimate?
A precondition to being on the Whistletree approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Whistletree) which do require that your lawyer disclose any incorrect assumptions in the lender’s valuation report and the legal papers. Should you refuse to allow your lawyer to make the appropriate notification then your lawyer will have no choice but to discontinue acting for both parties.
Do I need to visit the offices of the Whistletree conveyancing panel solicitor to execute the mortgage deed? If so, I will appoint a lawyer who conducts conveyancing in London
so that I can attend their offices if required.
Most conveyancing panel lawyers for Whistletree undertake all of the work via the post, internet or over the phone. This means that they can undertake your Conveyancing Transaction no matter where you live in England or Wales. However you should check if you can still book an appointment to go into appointed conveyancing lawyer if you prefer.
I am purchasing a garden flat and getting a mortgage with Whistletree. Conveyancing solicitors are said to be ‘a necessary evil’ but can I do it myself?
Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing you will have to appoint a solicitor on the Whistletree conveyancing panel to look after their interests. Most people therefore find it easier to let the solicitor act for them and the lender. Furthermore there is minimal cost savings to made in you doing to conveyancing for yourself and another lawyer conducting the conveyancing for the lender. Please feel free to use the search tool to find a lawyer on the Whistletree conveyancing panel in your location.
We have a mortgage agreed in principle with Whistletree. Solicitors have been chosen? What is the average time that one could expect to receive a mortgage offer from Whistletree?
Some lenders take longer than others. Have Whistletree done the survey? Have you advised Whistletree as your lawyers details and checked that your lawyer is on the Whistletree conveyancing panel? sometimes it can take as long as six weeks for a mortgage offer to be issued
I have agreed a price on a apartment I spoke to a solicitor previously used by my brother and he advised instructing a solicitor approved by Whistletree. The estate agent recommended two local firms so I asked Whistletree if the 2 suggested solicitors are approved, which they are not. Whistletree suggested that either practice can fill out the appropriate forms to become approved. Do I (1) save myself the aggravation and use one of Whistletree 's conveyancing panel solicitors (2) Use the local solicitor and accept there may be delays etc as they go through the approval process.
Enquire of Whistletree to suggest a law firm in your location. Most banks have lawyers on their panel throughout the UK. You can also use our search tool at the top of this page to search for a lawyer on the Whistletree conveyancing panel based on location. If you particularly like the sound of one of the local lawyers that you have spoken to ask them if they would go onto Whistletree conveyancing panel as it may only take about 2-3 weeks. As long as they meet Whistletree’s requirements it can be a very simple job for the solicitor. Other stuff will be going on in parallel (as you are at an early stage) so it may not delay matters.
Planning on purchasing a house with a mortgage with Whistletree. I have received an online quote from a licensed conveyancer, which states: "There will be no charge for dealing with the Building Society if you are obtaining a mortgage". I take this to mean that there will be no additional fee if the solicitor is on the Whistletree conveyancing panel. I wanted to make sure it means there will be no additional fees for dealing with the mortgage.
They are simply saying that the cost for acting for the lender is included in the fee being quoted. It is worth you checking that they are on the Whistletree conveyancing panel
Other Topics
Transfer of Equity for WhistletreePlease note that Lexsure Ltd is in no way associated with nor affiliated with Lexsure Solicitors